Preserved Collections Manager
Preserved Collections Manager
This position offers an opportunity to play a key role in Kew’s large and globally important science collections. Reporting to the Head of Collections, the post holder provides leadership and oversight to the Preserved Collections (Herbarium Collections Management Unit, Spirit, Fungarium and DNA and Tissue Collections) to develop and maintain high standards in the management of Kew’s internationally important collections. This is a vital role in the management of collections that is necessary to meet statutory obligations, sector standards and to ensure compliance with national and international legislation. The post holder will work closely with the Herbarium Curation team and Registrar and Accreditation Manager to ensure material is managed and transferred according to Kew policies and workflows.
This role also oversees the preventive conservation program, which involves managing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) process and team, as well as leading environmental monitoring across all collection spaces. Additionally, it coordinates the monitoring system for other collection managers within the Science Collections.
More details
We are looking for an experienced collection manager with strong managerial skills. In this important role the successful applicant will have experience in managing natural science collections and a broad understanding of collection best practices, preventative conservation including integrated pest management, and legislation surrounding plant material such as CITES and Access and Benefit Sharing. The post will provide leadership to the herbarium collections management unit overseeing transactions in and out of the herbarium; and to the managers and staff of the spirit collection (80,000 specimens), Fungarium 1.2 million specimens and DNA and Tissue collections (over 80,000 specimens). The successful candidate will have the ability to develop, monitor and adapt collection workflows to effectively and efficiently manage the collections.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.
Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.
The salary for this position is £45,200 - £48,756 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Band E]
Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.
We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
No agencies please.